CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - Some 70 selected male employees of the provincial government here were awarded as Outstanding Men during the celebration of the 8th Araw ng Kalalakihan on June 29 at the Quirino Watersports Complex here.

The celebration which was part of the 50th Founding Anniversary of the province focused on the theme: “Kalalakihang Hinubog ng Panahon, Gaya ng Lalawigan, Babangon at Haharapin ang Bawat Hamon.”

Population Program Officer Froilan B. Herrera said the activity serves as avenue for men to be together and learn more things about male involvement on parenting, family planning, reproductive health and eliminating all forms of violence against women and children, that in turn, make a difference to the lives of both men and women in the province.

In his message, Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua has reminded the public that these male personnel also need to be empowered and molded as they are considered as the ‘padre de pamilya’ who strengthen the relationship of the family.

“Ang ating ultimate objective ay mapatibay ang relasyon ng bawat pamilya dahil ang pamilya ay ang yaman ng bawat komunidad at ang bawat komunidad ay hindi mabubuo nang walang pamilyang matatag,” Gov. Cua said.

(Our ultimate objective is to strengthen the relationship of each family because family is the treasure of each community and each community is not complete without a family.)

Meanwhile, Lolito R. Tacardon, deputy executive director of Commission on Population and Development, served as the guest speaker whre he stressd on the importance of male empowerment today.

“There should be intervention among men in order to empower gender development, hindi lang babae kundi maski lalaki, kailangan nating palakasin ang bawat isa. That is why ‘KATROPA Movement’ or known as Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya was developed,” Tacardon said.

(There should be intervention among men in order to empower gender development, not only women but also men, we have to empower each and everyone. That is why ‘KATROPA Movement’ or known as Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya was developed.)

Tacardon likewise said that men and women should not be divided but instead they should be given equal roles in establishing a family.

For his part, MADEM Regional Director Angelito S. Obcena who also served as regional director of PopCom Region 2 recognized Quirino as the most active province in implementing KATROPA.

KATROPA is one of the initiatives of POPCOM in mobilizing the men as partners of women in women empowerment, responsible parenting and gender equality. (MCDT/TCB/PIA Quirino)